Classified's "Powerless" serves as an outlet for those without a voice [Video]

Juno Award Winning hip-hop artist Classified is back with the visuals for his previously released emotion-drenched single "Powerless". The song while it touches on dark themes, it also serves as some sort of exposé on the unfair treatment of indigenous women.

Written and produced by Classified himself, the record takes inspiration from real-life stories that were shared with him. He puts pen to paper to speak up for those without a voice with lyrics like "…At the age of 17 She finally went to the police /Charged him for the crimes he did and finally took him off the streets/ And at trial, she had to relive it all again/ On the stand explaining how this man had took her life within/ Abused for 9 years, he got 4 months and a bit She got a lifelong sentence, he got a slap on the wrist..." Classified further explains his purpose for the song .” By honoring these lives and legacies, he hopes his work will educate and inspire viewers to learn more about the Indigenous culture and the vital issues facing our society today.

The video is directed by Grammy-nominated Andrew Hines, who pays tribute to the Indigenous women that go missing or are murdered without receiving justice. The song’s cinematic music video was shot on the Millbrook First Nation Reserve in Truro, Nova Scotia and features a group of Mi’kmaq drummers and dancers. Canadian director, Andrew Hines shares: “Powerless is more than a song, and more than a music video because it is speaking to the topic of missing women and girls in the First Nation community and the sexual abuse of women from the Maritimes to British Columbia.”

Classified has become one of Canada’s most respected and successful rappers and producers. His self-titled 2013 release has sold over 1 million singles and 171K albums in Canada. The release also has two top ten singles (“3 Foot Tall” is Platinum and “Inner Ninja” featuring David Myles is 4x Platinum).